Hotrodder

Hey guys, new here and to toyotas. I just bought a 95 4runner with 202k miles. I needed a winter 4x4 so I could park my mustang and caddy for the winter. So found the toy for 500 bucks. It has rust issues on the body but the frames solid. And at 500, I couldn't beat it. It runs great.

Anyway, the more I drive this truck, the more I like it so now I might invest time and money into fixing some of the rust. Has anyone replaced the inner metal underneath the rockers and quarters? It's rusted pretty bad but the only thing I get from search are skin replacements. Is it even worth it?

Any leads on rust free donors would be much appreciated also.

Thanks, loving this forum so far.

Hadmatt54

I'm pretty sure that there are no body panel companies making replacement floor pans or inside fenders. Like you the only panels I've seen available are fenders, door skins, rockers, rear quarters, etc.
The panels you are looking for will have to be custom made.
Is it worth it? Probably not; the money that you put into repairing a rusted vehicle might just buy you a rust free one from one of the Southern States where they don't have to contend with winter conditions and salt on the roads.

Hotrodder

I've heard about guys finding donors for crazy cheap so I'll keep my eyes open. This may be a great truck to try out cutting and patching in panels. I've never done it but I think my dad and I can do it so got to start trying somewhere.

Thanks

Hotrodder

Took a look at a junkyard runner today but it was just as rusty. Think I'm going to have to enlist my brother down in Houston for a donor. On the plus side I think by looking at it that I can cut a decent line just past the rusted inner metal and replace the inner and outer quarters and rockers. Yeah, it might not be worth it but hey, I'm loving this toy. So a cheap truck, some cheap donor metal, and boat loads of work would be well worth it to me

I'll have to take some pics for the before aspect.

On the second plus side I replaced my exhaust and pressure tested to find a hose leak which means no head gasket leak for now

skypilot

iTrader: (1)

I would think you can just weld in some 18ga plate steel in. My inner fenders are shot too. But they do nothing structurally, so I just glue in metal plates using that Roberlo epoxy. Grind and prime with an epoxy sealer then bondo over it and paint as needed. Plate steel is cheap compared to shipping charges.

Hotrodder

I might just do it that way. Thanks